49ers' Jim Harbaugh impressed with Kaepernick's play on bad field conditions

SANTA CLARA -- Coach Jim Harbaugh downplayed the elements in the run up to the 49ers game against the Green Bay Packers. On Monday, he provided some interesting takes on what he gleaned from his team's victory in harsh conditions.

In particular, Harbaugh said he learned that quarterback Colin Kaepernick isn't just capable of surviving in adverse conditions, he's built for thriving.

"We've got a good bad-weather quarterback," Harbaugh said Monday in his day-after-game news conference. "The thing I didn't envision when we drafted Colin was how unbelievably effective he would be on a bad field. He was running like a gazelle, like he was the only one on the field."

Kaepernick completed 16 of 30 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 98 yards on seven carries.

Several times, Kaepernick turned a broken play into a positive one by breaking free from the pocket, eluding a defender and turning upfield.

Kaepernick also impressed Harbaugh with his ability to control the football, even though temperatures hovered near zero and the ball was slick and harder than usual because of the cold.

"He's able to throw a ball that pierces the elements," Harbaugh said. "He's showed that in the rain, too. He can pierce a defense with velocity on his throws and the tightness of his spirals."

"Aaron Rodgers made some terrific throws," Harbaugh said. "I thought Colin arguably made more terrific throws. The touch to the backs coming out of the backfield I thought was really good. And those aren't easy climates to throw the ball and catch the ball in, to execute in."